BTM directed by Tom Davoren made a clean sweep of the silverware at the West Wales Band Association contest in Ammanford on the weekend.
Clean sweep
They picked up all the prizes in the Championship Section couresty of a fine performance of 'Les Preludes', impressing adjudicator Steve Sykes to award them a clear three point winning margin over nearest rival, Harrogate First Section finalists Pontardulais Town.
The band's long standing fluel player Jeff Hutchinson took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award as the band warmed up for Pontins at the end of the month.
There was an encouraging result for Abergavenny Borough who came third, whilst the post Harrogate celebrations may have taken their toll on National Second Section winners Tylorstown, who could only manage seventh place.
The band's long standing fluel player Jeff Hutchinson took the 'Best Instrumentalist' award as the band warmed up for Pontins at the end of the month4BR
Excellent
In the First Section, it was Rogerstone who took the honours with an excellent performance of the former European test piece, 'Five Blooms in a Welsh Garden', whilst Gareth Ritter and City of Cardiff were convincing winners in the Second Section after they put in a strong account of 'Purcell Variations'.
Style
Fourth Section Harrogate finalists Crwbin, under Mike Thorne, took the Third Section trophy in some style, by beating a strong field of competitors, including runner Llywdcoed, who returned from the National Finals after coming 4th at the International Conference Centre in the Third Section.
And there was encouraging news for Severn Tunnel in the Fourth Section as they claimed victory after delivering a fine rendition of 'A Saddleworth Festival Overture'.
Results:
Championship Section:
1. B.T.M. (T. Davoren) — 191
2. Pontardulais Town (P. Jenkins) — 188
3. Abergavenny Borough (D. Griffiths) — 187
4. Burry Port Town (M. Thorne) — 186
5. Markham & District (A. Morton) — 184
6. RAF St Athan (A. Bourne) — 183
7. Tylorstown (G. Davies) — 180
Best Instrumentalist: Jeff Hutchinson (BTM)
Adjudicator: Steve Sykes
First Section:
1. Rogerstone (J. Jones) — 188
2. Blaenavon Town (A. Protherough-Jones) — 187
3. Penclawdd Brass (T. Small) — 186
4. Ynyshir Band (D. Evans) — 184
Best Instrumentalist: Evan Smith (Blaenavon)
Adjudicator: Simon Platford
Second Section:
1. City of Cardiff (G. Ritter) — 188
2. Gwaun Cae Gurwen (G. Davies) — 185
3. Lewis Merthyr (G. Pritchard) — 184
4. Briton Ferry Silver (Dr C. Jenkins) — 183
5. Cross Keys (K. Bowden) — 181
Best Instrumentalist: Percussion Section (Briton Ferry)
Adjudicator: Steve Sykes
Third Section:
1. Crwbin (M. Thorne) — 186
2. Llwydcoed (G. Davies) — 185
3. Ogmore Valley (Miss A. Jones) — 183
4. Corus (J. Jones) — 182
5. Ystradgynlais Public (D. Jone) — 180
6. Newport Borough (T. Morgan) — 179
Best Instrumentalist: Bleddyn Roberts (Crwbin)
Adjudicator: Simon Platford
Fourth Section:
1. Severn Tunnel (A. McGee) — 179
2. Abertillery District (D. Evans) — 178
3. Mellingriffith 2 (D. Griffiths) — 177
4. Cwmbran Brass (A. Lucus) — 175
5. Oakdale Silver (A. Browning) — 174
Best Instrumentalist: Terry Wells (Oakdale)
Adjudicator: Craig Roberts